a11y/no-meta-refresh

Why

A timed refresh moves the page away while someone is still reading it or filling it in, and sends screen reader users back to the top. People who read slowly lose their place every time.

Fix

Redirect with an HTTP 301 or 308 from the server (or an instant content="0; url=…" where the host allows nothing else). For live data, update the part that changes with script and a polite live region, and offer a pause.

Examples

<!-- bad -->
<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="30">
<!-- good: a server redirect, or a link the person follows -->
<p>This page has moved to <a href="/new">the new address</a>.</p>

Sources

• WCAG 2.2, Understanding SC 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable
• WCAG 2.2 Failure F41, using meta refresh to reload the page

Read it in the terminal

npx github:dawidolko/frontend-skills explain a11y/no-meta-refresh